Hearing-impaired Pinoy student figures prominently in int’l youth gathering

A hearing impairment was no obstacle for a young psychology student in bringing honor to the Philippines in a recent international youth leaders' gathering in Vietnam.

Von Reiner Duterte was runner-up at the first Dux Gregis International Youth Leaders Convergence, after giving his tourism pitch for Davao City, GMA Davao reported Wednesday.

During the convergence from June 25 to 28, he competed with more than 10 other youth leaders in promoting tourism in their native lands via the World Tourism Marketing Challenge.

"It was such a great experience for me because it is my first independent competition outside of school and it was not easy to get there," said Von, who is not related to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Topping the competition was another Philippine representative, Patrick Joseph Estillomo of the Aquinas University of Legazpi.



Duterte, who is described in his school as an inspiration, overcame what others may have found an impairment via lip-reading. He is scheduled to graduate next year.

"Always, always believe in yourself. Always make yourself your number one enemy, your number one critic and your number one friend. Because if you will get to know yourself, everything will follow," he said.

Duterte's alma mater, Jose Maria College, meanwhile, congratulated him for his feat.

"Our very own Von Reiner S. Duterte, BS Psycholoy student became an inspiration to the Youth when he won first runner-up in the recently concluded World Tourism Competition held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam," the college said.

"To a JMARIAN...Nothing is Impossible!" it added. Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News

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